PM flanked by BJYM state president P. Prakashbabu (L) and BJP state president Adv. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai. (Photo: S. Chandrasekharan)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a hair raising ecstasy to the youths of Kerala while addressing the state rally of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Thrissur. PM referred to the prominent writers and film personalities of the district in his electrifying speech. Balamani Amma and Bahadur and Kalabhavan Mani were among them. He said, he was happy to visit the cultural centre of the state in his second visit to the state in one month. He referred to Guruvayoor temple, Thrissur pooram, etc. The other visit was to Kollam to inaugurate the Kollam bypass. He told about the dedication of IREP to the nation short while ago in Amabalamugal. He detailed about the achievements his government has bagged in making the kitchens smoke free. In 2014, 45 % of the kitchens were smoke-free, but now it is 90 %. The endeavours are in the process to make it 100 %.

PM said that Kochi's refinery facilities rank No 2 in Asia. Kochi is the biggest in the country. Six crores people get cooking gas at liberal terms and conditions. Modiji said that organic fuel mixture regime would reduce our expenditure for importing petroleum products. Now, the mixture is on 10 % basis; by 2021 it will be increased to 25 %. It will save our foreign currency reserves to a great extent. Kochi Petrochemical Project is a great leap forward in this direction. It can create job opportunities and income generation for the youths.

PM said that due to change in the style of governance, Bharat has become the fastest growing economy. The whole world comes to invest in our country. Now, our industrial growth has improved from the rank of 142 to 77. In foreign investment, we have overtaken China. In mobile manufacturing, we have grown from 2 industries to120 plus. In the zone of facilities for new ventures, we are No: 1. We have the largest health protection scheme Ayushman Bharat. Formerly Swatch Bharat was not on the agenda. Now, we have an increased number of toilets in the country. Five years ago,18,000 villages did not have the power supply at all. Now, it has reached all villages. Now, our target is to provide power supply to all houses. Sab ke saath sabka vikaas is our target.

Unfortunately, Kerala's cultural heritage is under continuous attack. And, the ruling party leads it. Sabarimala issue has caught the attention of the entire nation. CPM disrespects Hindu culture and traditions which are hundreds of years old. UDF led by Congress plays the same game. They say something in Delhi and something else in Kerala. They should realise that this would not work. They do not like to empower women. Their triple talaq policy is a clear example of it. Has CPM made any woman the CM of any state? Both Congress and CPM should introspect in this regard.

Opposition parties suffer intellectual bankruptcy. Their only programme is "Hate Modi". They start it when they get up in the morning and continue until they sleep. It is their daily cup of tea. They are least bothered about the development of the country.

Shri Modi said, 'You can accuse me as much as you want, but you don't misguide farmers, youths, poor. Don't block the development, don't abuse our great country'. PM said, they do have zero regards to the constitutional institutions of the country. They do not respect CBI, armed forces, C&AG, Election Commission, etc. He referred to the recent press conference held in London against EVMs in the presence of a top Congress leader. When Congress and CPM talk about democracy it ends up in joke. Now, Congress has started murder politics like CPM does. They kill BJP workers in MP as soon as they got power there. They still carry the mindset of Emergency. They should realise that election will come and go, but the country is to stay.

Both LDF and UDF are involved in corruption. Congress's Solar scandal is infamous. LDF ministers are involved in corruption too. Several LDF ministers resigned because of it. A hardworking scientist Nambi Narayanan was trapped in espionage case as Congress leaders wanted to settle scores with their own colleagues. We gave him Padma award.

PM added that he is the choukidar in Delhi and he will not permit corruption. We want a strong Bharat. We are keen to solve the problems being faced by NRIs.

Earlier the city witnessed impressive processions of the BJYM workers in different parts of the city. The public meeting was attended by lakhs of people. It was the culmination of the state conference of BJYM. BJP state president Adv. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai and all other senior leaders addressed the mammoth gathering.

Earlier PM laid the foundation stone for Kochi Petrochemical Complex and inaugurated the Integral Refinery Expansion Project I(IREP) in Ambalamugal facilities of Kochi Refineries Limited owned by BPCL near Kochi. IREP is expected to increase the capacity from 9.5 MMTA to 15.5 MMTA. Modiji said, in his inaugural address, that since May 16, 2016, onwards 6 crores of new cooking gas connections have been distributed. He said that he is happy to visit Kochi, the birthplace of Adi Shankara. He referred to Kochi as the queen of Arabian sea and blue backwaters.

PM also laid the foundation stone for an institute for Skill Development in Ettumanoor, Kottayam district. The IREP is going to make Kochi a hub of petroleum and petrochemical industry. It is going to bring a novel industrial revolution in the region.